Maintaining accurate position data during GPS signal loss has long challenged automotive engineers conducting vehicle testing in urban canyons, tunnels, underpasses and covered facilities. The R&D UDR GPS CAN Sensor from Metis Engineering solves this critical issue through untethered dead reckoning technology that delivers continuous positioning regardless of satellite visibility.
Untethered Dead Reckoning Technology Explained
Traditional GPS sensors stop providing reliable position data the moment satellite signals are blocked or degraded. The RD UDR GPS CAN Sensor incorporates built-in inertial sensors that seamlessly maintain position, velocity and heading estimates even during complete GNSS signal loss.
Unlike tethered dead reckoning systems that require external inputs from wheel speed sensors or vehicle CAN data, this sensor operates completely independently. The untethered approach eliminates integration complexity and works across any vehicle type without requiring access to proprietary vehicle networks or additional sensor inputs.
When GPS signals are available, the sensor provides standard positioning at up to 20Hz update rates. During signal interruption, the inertial measurement system calculates position changes based on vehicle acceleration, rotation and movement patterns. Upon GPS signal restoration, the system automatically recalibrates, ensuring seamless transitions between satellite-based and inertial positioning modes.
Critical Applications for Autonomous Vehicle Testing
Autonomous vehicle validation demands positioning accuracy in all environments, particularly those where GPS reliability is compromised. Urban testing scenarios involve regular GPS dropouts as vehicles navigate between tall buildings, enter multi-storey car parks or traverse underpasses.
The R&D UDR GPS CAN Sensor maintains continuous position estimates throughout these challenging environments, providing the ground truth data essential for validating localisation algorithms, sensor fusion systems and autonomous navigation functions. Development engineers can assess system performance during GPS-denied conditions without deploying complex reference systems or limiting testing to open-sky locations.
Rally and Motorsport Applications
Rally sport presents extreme positioning challenges as vehicles operate at high speeds through forests, between cliff faces and in other environments where satellite visibility fluctuates rapidly. The dead reckoning capability enables continuous position tracking for telemetry systems, allowing teams to analyse vehicle performance throughout entire stages rather than just GPS-visible sections.
The technology also supports advanced analysis techniques including side slip angle determination, trajectory reconstruction and cornering performance assessment. Metis Engineering provides a detailed case study demonstrating rally car side slip measurement using the UDR sensor, showcasing the analytical possibilities enabled by continuous positioning data.
Tunnel Testing and Indoor Development
Electric vehicle battery testing, climatic chamber validation and indoor vehicle dynamics testing all occur in GPS-denied environments. The R&D UDR GPS CAN Sensor enables position and velocity measurement during these critical test procedures without requiring external reference systems or laser tracking equipment.
Proving grounds with extended tunnel sections benefit from uninterrupted data collection as vehicles transition between covered and open sections. The sensor maintains position accuracy throughout, eliminating data gaps that compromise analysis quality and require multiple test runs to capture complete datasets.
Simplified CAN Bus Integration
The sensor features a fully configurable CAN interface that integrates directly into vehicle networks using standard protocols. Engineers receive latitude, longitude, altitude, course over ground and speed data through CAN messaging, eliminating the need for separate data acquisition hardware or complex conversion systems.
The standalone design requires only power and CAN connection, dramatically reducing installation time compared to multi-sensor dead reckoning systems. Once mounted and powered, the unit begins transmitting position data immediately, with dead reckoning functionality operating automatically without calibration procedures or initialization requirements.
Robust Construction for Testing Environments
Vehicle testing environments subject equipment to vibration, temperature variation and electromagnetic interference. The R&D UDR GPS CAN Sensor is engineered specifically for research and development applications, with robust construction that ensures reliable operation across the demanding conditions typical of proving grounds, test tracks and rally stages.
The compact form factor and wide input voltage range accommodate diverse mounting locations and vehicle electrical architectures. Minimal weight ensures the sensor does not affect vehicle dynamics, whilst the small footprint allows installation in space-constrained locations including prototype vehicles and heavily instrumented test cars.
Comprehensive Data Output for Engineering Analysis
The sensor provides complete navigation data including GPS and UTC time stamps, geographical coordinates, altitude, instantaneous velocity and heading information. This comprehensive dataset supports diverse analysis requirements from basic trajectory mapping through to sophisticated vehicle dynamics calculations.
The 20Hz update rate delivers sufficient temporal resolution for most automotive testing applications, capturing vehicle behaviour during dynamic manoeuvres whilst maintaining manageable data volumes. Engineers can correlate position data with other sensor inputs including accelerometers, gyroscopes and vehicle control signals for detailed performance analysis.
Professional Documentation and Support
Metis Engineering provides detailed technical documentation including specification sheets, user manuals, DBC files for CAN integration and technical drawings. This comprehensive support package enables rapid integration into existing test systems and reduces engineering time during data acquisition system development.
Bespoke electronics and sensor packaging services are available for specialised applications requiring custom interfaces, environmental protection or unique mounting arrangements. Technical support throughout the integration process ensures successful deployment across diverse testing programmes.
Proven Technology for Research and Development
The R&D UDR GPS CAN Sensor represents field-proven technology deployed across automotive testing facilities, motorsport teams and autonomous vehicle development programmes worldwide. Video demonstrations showcasing the sensor’s continuous positioning capabilities during complete GNSS signal loss are available on the Metis Engineering projects page, providing practical examples of real-world performance.
The combination of standard GPS positioning and untethered dead reckoning delivers measurement reliability that single-mode systems cannot achieve. Engineers gain confidence in position data quality regardless of testing environment, eliminating concerns about data gaps compromising analysis outcomes.
Applications Across Vehicle Development
Advanced driver assistance system validation requires accurate positioning data during urban testing where GPS signal quality varies continuously. The dead reckoning capability ensures uninterrupted data collection as test vehicles navigate city centres, underground car parks and covered loading areas.
Electric vehicle range testing benefits from continuous speed and position measurement throughout entire drive cycles, including sections through tunnels and urban canyons. Vehicle dynamics engineers use the sensor for proving ground testing where track layouts include covered sections or areas with limited satellite visibility.
Investment in Reliable Positioning Technology
Continuous position and velocity measurement forms the foundation of effective vehicle testing across challenging environments. The R&D UDR GPS CAN Sensor provides the reliability, accuracy and integration simplicity that modern engineering programmes demand, particularly when testing in GPS-compromised locations.
The sensor is priced from £299.00 to £394.00 (excluding VAT) with a standard lead time of up to 15 working days. Expedited delivery can be arranged for urgent requirements, whilst volume pricing is available for testing facilities and research institutions deploying multiple units.
For detailed specifications, technical documentation, volume pricing enquiries or to discuss bespoke sensor solutions, contact us directly. Invest in positioning technology that maintains accuracy when satellite visibility fails.
